Single lever control

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a single lever control for varying the speed and direction of rotation of drive wheels in a vehicle such as a snow thrower and for also clutching and declutching the drive train to the drive wheels. The control lever is supported on the vehicle handling bar assembly for movement about first and second axes and is guided for movement by a guide track having forwardly and rearwardly extending slots with appropriate indicia for the various forward speeds and reverse. Movement of the control lever about the first axis in a slot transverse to the direction of movement of the vehicle, actuates a speed control rod linkage to axially shift a rubber friction wheel on a spline shaft to change the position of engagement of the friction wheel with respect to the drive disc to vary the speed of the vehicle drive wheels. Forward movement of the control lever about the second axis, and from the transverse slot into one of the various fore and aft slots, moves a clutch linkage to swing the friction wheel into engagement with the friction disc. Toggle links in the clutch linkage provide a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;feel&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; to the operator, a mechanical advantage to assist clutching and declutching and maintain the friction wheel in engagement in the forward positions.

United States Patent Enters et al.

451 July 25, 1972 [541 SINGLE LEVER CONTROL '[72] Inventors: Edward W.Enters, Fredonia; Warren H.

Price, Sheboygan; John W. Davies, Ill;

Lynn E. Hochwltz, both of Plymouth, all

of Wis.

[73'] Assignee: Gilson Bros. 0)., Plymouth, Wis.

[22] Filed: Sept. 22, 1970 [21 Appl. No; 74,282

1,133,690 8/1915 Woodhull. .74/197 X 1,147,268 7/1915 Rogers ....74/1973,327,546 6/1967 Gordon et al ..74/l94 Primary Examiner-Leonard H.Gehrin Attorney-Wheeler, House & Wheeler ABSTRACT Disclosed herein is asingle lever control for varying the speed and direction of rotation ofdrive wheels in a vehicle such as a snow thrower and for also clutchingand declutching the drive train to the drive wheels. The control leveris supported on the vehicle handling bar assembly for movement aboutfirst and second axes and is guided for movement by a guide track havingforwardly and rearwardly extending slots with appropriate indicia forthe various forward speeds and reverse. Movement of the control leverabout the first axis in a slot transverse to the direction of movementof the vehicle, actuates a speed control rod linkage to axially shift arubber friction wheel on a spline shaft to change the position ofengagement of the friction wheel with respect to the drive disc to varythe speed of the vehicle drive wheels. Forward movement of the controllever about the second axis, and from the transverse slot into one ofthe various fore and aft slots, moves a clutch linkage to swing thefriction wheel into engagement with the friction disc. Toggle links inthe clutch linkage provide a feel to the operator, a mechanicaladvantage to assist clutching and declutching and maintain the frictionwheel in engagement in the forward positions.

17 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures 1 4 I lllllllllllllllltllllllllllllllttm||m|lml Patented July 25, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet1 s muggy ZJ M 5 W W H Q m A a f m M 0 Q\ f M T 255 A #42 2 2 U55Patented July 25, 1972 4 Sheets-Shut 2 Pmented July 25, 1972 3,678,770

4 Sheets-Shoot 5 SINGLE LEVER CONTROL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Theinvention provides a single lever speed and clutch control for use withfriction drives commonly employed in small home and garden implementssuch as snow throwers and lawn mowers which typically have a two-wheeltractor unit powered by a small gasoline engine. In some prior art snowthrowers, variation in the speed of the tractor wheels is controlled byone lever and the engagement and disengagement of the drive to thewheels is controlled by a separate clutch lever. Thus, both hands arerequired to actuate the necessary controls to change the speed ordirection of the tractor wheels. The operation of the snow thrower isfurther complicated by the other manual controls such as the throttleand the discharge chute directional control as well as the necessity togrip the handle bars to guide vehiclemovement.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The invention provides a single control lever forremotely varying the speed and the direction of rotation of the drivewheels and for clutching and declutching the drive train to the wheels.

The control lever is supported by a mounting block on the handle barassembly for lever movement fore and aft and transverse to the directionof vehicle movement. Fore and aft and transverse movement of the controllever is guided by a guide track or panel with a cut-out. The trackincludes a plurality of generally parallel slots extending forwardlyfrom a transverse slot for the forward speeds and a rearwardly extendingslot for reverse vehicle movement. Movement of the control lever in thetransverse slot actuates a speed control linkage which axially shifts afriction wheel on its rotational axis and changes the radial position ofthe friction wheel with respect to a drive disc driven by the engine tovary the speed ratio between driving and driven members.

Movement of the control lever and mounting block forwardly into one ofthe forwardly extending slots actuates a clutch linkage which swings thefriction wheel in an are about a second axis to engage the frictionwheel with the drive disc at the selected radial position.

i The clutch linkage includes toggle links spring biased to move away atboth sides of a center position. When the control lever is in thetransverse slot, the clutch is in neutral and the toggle linkage is oncenter with the toggle links in alignment, thereby neutralizing springaction and maintaining the neutral position. Slight movement of thecontrol lever into either one of the forward slots or the reverse slotwill break the toggle. The linkage will then be shifted automatically bythe spring into forward or reverse position. The toggle and springbiases the friction wheel toward its engaged position inasmuch aspressure is required to move the control lever and the toggle links tothe on-center neutral position. However, the direction of rotation ofthe drive disc with respect to the arc about which the friction wheelswings is effective in the reverse clutched position to swing thefriction wheel on its are away from positive driving engagement of thewheel and disc, notwithstanding the spring bias. Accordingly, theoperator has to maintain manual pressure on the control handle in itsreverse mode to keep the wheel and disc engaged. In the forward mode,the direction of rotation of the drive disc with respect to the areabout which the friction wheel swings, assists the spring to keep theparts in positive driving engagement.

An important object and advantage of the present invention resides inthe fact that the operator moves the single control lever in a naturalmovement, forward for forward speeds and rearward for reverse. Thetoggle linkage aforesaid is an important instrumentality to achieve thissequence in the exemplified embodiment.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following disclosure.

DRAWINGS FIG. I is a top view in fragmentary section of an implementtractor embodying the control lever and control linkages of theinvention, the drive wheel 32 being shown in reverse position.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 1 showing substantiallyonly the control lever and control linkages.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus: shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the control leverand its mounting block.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view along Line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view along Line 6-6 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view on a reduced scale of a snow throwerembodying the invention.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side view with portions broken away showing thedrive arrangement to the wheel axle.

FIG. 9 is a diagramatic perspective view of the drive train.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Although the disclosure hereofis detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice theinvention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplifythe invention which may be embodied in other specific structures.

Tractor unit 10 (FIGS. I and 7) is adapted for use with snow throwers,lawn mowers, etc. and includes an upstanding frame portion 12 withhandles 14 for guiding tractor movement. The frame portion 12 isconnected to a tractor housing 16. The housing 16 is supported fortravel above the ground by a wheel axle 18, which is journaled in thehousing 16 on bearing 17. Axle I8 carries wheels 20 and 22. Power issupplied to the wheels 20 and 22 by an engine 24 (FIG. 7) which has anoutput shaft (not shown) and a drive train 25. The output shaft isconnected to a drive disc 28 (FIG. l) by an endless belt 30. The engine24 also drives a pulley 29 which can be used to power a snow throwerimpeller 31 and auger, a lawn mower cutting reel, etc. Power istransmitted from the drive disc 28 to the axle. 18 by a rubber tiredfriction wheel 32.

Means are provided for supporting the friction wheel 32 for rotationabout a first axis and axial movement along the first axis, thus, tochange the speed ratio and drive direction between the drive disc 28 andthe friction wheel 32, and for swinging movement in an arc about asecond axis for engagement and disengagement of the friction wheel 32with the drive disc 28. In the disclosed construction, the meansincludes a first shaft or spline shaft 34 which provides the first axis.A splined collar 33 in the friction wheel 32 affords sliding axialmovement or shifting of the friction wheel 32 on the spline shaft 34 forchanging the speed and direction of rotation of the tractor wheels ashereinafter described. The second axis for the friction wheel 32 isprovided by a second or rock shaft 38 supported in suitable sockets 37formed in the walls of the housing 16. The spline shaft 34 is swingablysupported for movement in an are about the second axis provided by rockshaft 38 by a pair of spaced swing arms 40 and 42 which can either bepivotably connected or fixed to shaft 38. The arms 40, 42 also carrybearings 44 for rotatably supporting the spline shaft 34. The frictionwheel 32 is caused to move axially along the spline shaft34 by a shiftarm or bracket 46 which projects from a ball bearing housing 487, theinner race of which is connected to the hub of the friction wheel 32.The shift arm 46 is guided for axial movement on rock shaft 38. Theshift arm 46 is part of the mechanism by which the wheel 32 is shiftedaxially along the spline shaft v34.

Power from disc 28 to the wheel 32 and then to the spline shaft 34 istransferred from the spline shaft 34 to the wheel axle 18 by a planetarygear set including planet gear 48 which is fixed to shaft 34 and whichmeshes with a sun gear 50 freely rotatably supported on shafl 38. Thehub of gear 50 is fixed to side gear 51 which meshes with drive gear 52fixed to the axle 18. The planet gear 48 orbits or swings in an areabout sun gear 50 when the friction wheel 32 is swung about the axis ofrock shaft 38, as subsequently described.

In accordance with the invention, a single control lever 60 is providedto perform the dual functions of clutching and declutching the frictionwheel 32 with respect to the drive disc 28 and shifting the axialposition of the friction wheel 32 on the spline shaft 34, thus to alterthe speed and direction of rotation of the tractor wheels.

Means are provided for supporting the control lever 60 for movementabout first and second transverse control lever axes 81, 79; Asdisclosed for exemplification, the means comprises a control lever shiftblock 64 (FIGS. 2, 3, 4). The block 64 can be solid or skeletonized. Inthe disclosed embodiment the block comprises a pair of spaced webportions 68 and 70 (FIG. 4) interconnected by side portions or legs 72and 74'. The mounting block 64 is pivotally supported on the upstand ingframe portion 12 for movement about the second control lever axis 79 byspaced ears 76 which can be stamped or struck from the frame 12. Boltsor rivets 78 on axis 79 pivotally support the side legs 72 and 74. Thefirst axis 81 for the control lever 60 is established by coaxialapertures 80 in the web portions 68 and 70. The apertures 80 receive adownturned leg or extension 82 on the control lever 60. The first axis81 is swingable fore and aft in a vertical plane and the second axis.79is generally horizontal and fixed.

The control lever 60 is guided for movement about the first and secondaxes 81, 79 by a cut-out or guide track 86 in a control panel 87 (FIG.1). The guide track 86 has a transversely extending slot 88 and severalforwardly extending slots 90 separated by fingers 92 and a rearwardlyextending slot 94. Movement of the control lever 60 along the transverseslot 88 causes rotation movement of the downturned leg 82 about thefirst control lever axis 81 in the mounting block 64. Movement of thecontrol lever 60 fore or aft in the slots 90 or 94 causes movement ofthe mounting block 64 about the second or horizontal axis 79.

SPEED CONTROL SHIFT MOTIONS The invention also provides means forconnecting the control lever 60 to the friction wheel 32 to shift thefriction wheel 32 axially along the spline shaft 34 upon movement of thecontrol lever 60 about the first control lever axis 81. As disclosed,this means includes a crank arm 96 (FIGS. 1 and 4) which has an end 98fixedly connected to the downturned leg 82 on the control lever 60. Theother end 100 of the crank arm 96 is pivotally connected to a speedcontrol rod link 102 by a pin 104 which has a transverse aperture 106which receives a bent portion 108 of the speed control rod link 102. Asshown in FIG. 2, the link 102 has an extension 107. The links 102, 107have slotted adjacent end portions 108 and 110 connected by a lengthadjustment bolt 112.

The means connecting the control lever 60 to the friction wheel 32 alsoincludes the shift arm 46 (hereinbefore described) and a bell crank 124(FIGS. 1 and 6) which is pivoted intermediate its length to a tab 125 onthe housing 16 by a bolt or pin 126. The arm 128 of the bell crank 124has an aperture 130 which receives a downturned portion 132 (FIG. oflink 107. The arm 134 of bell crank 124 is provided with a pin 136 whichis received in a slot 138 in a bracket 139 (FIGS. 1 and 6) on shift arm46.

Movement of the control lever 60 in the transverse track 88 causesmovement of the bell crank 124 which thus shifts bracket arm 46 and thefriction wheel 32 axially of the spline shaft 34 to vary the point ofcontact of the friction wheel 32 with the drive disc to change the speedand direction of rotation of the wheels and 22.

The control panel 87 can be provided with a shallow notch 162 (FIG. 1)to retain the control lever 60 in the neutral position. The three slots90A, B and C provide the various forward speeds designated 1, 2, 3 onpanel 87. Additional slots could be employed. When the control lever 60is moved into slot A and speed 1, the friction wheel 32 is shiftedaxially on shaft 34 to a location at one side of the drive disc axis asshown in broken lines in FIG. 1 and 9. The slot 90A affords the slowestwheel speed inasmuch as the drive circle on disc 28 has a smalldiameter. Movement of the control lever into slots 908 (speed 2) and 90C(speed 3) moves the friction wheel 32 farther away from the axis ofrotation of the drive disc 28, thus to provide larger diameter drivecircles on the drive disc 28 and thus higher rates of rotation of thefriction wheel 32. When control lever 60 is in reverse position in slot94, the friction wheel 32 is shifted axially past the axis of rotationof drive disc 28 and into its full line position shown in FIGS. 1 and 9.This reverses the direction of rotation of wheel 32 and ground wheels20, 22.

CLUTCH CONTROL MOTIONS Means are also provided for connecting thecontrol lever 60 to the spline shaft 34, for swinging the friction wheel32 in an arc about the rock shaft 38, thus to engage and disengage thefriction wheel 32 with the drive disc 28. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4,the means includes a toggle linkage 140 which includes a first link 142having an out turned end 144 pivotally connected to an upstanding ear ortab 146 which extends from mounting block side leg 74. The other end 147of link 142 is pivotally connected to a linking plate 148 which ispivoted to the frame portion 12 by an ear 150. The means also includes asecond link 152 which has a clevis 154 connected to the plate 148 by abolt 153. The other end 155 of the second link 152 is connected to abell crank lever 156 which is pivoted to the housing 16 and whichchanges the direction of thrust. The lever 156 is connected to a thirdlink 158 which has an end 160 (FIGS. 1,2 and 5) connected to swing arm42.

When the control lever 60 is in the transverse slot 88 (desirably innotch 162), the drive is in neutral and links 142 and 152 are in anon-center position, as shown in broken lines and designated in FIG. 3.When the control lever 60 is in neutral, the swing arms 40 and 42 aredisplaced from the drive disc 28 as shown in broken lines in FIG. 9, andthe friction wheel 32 is disengaged from the drive disc 28. A spring 161connected between the housing and a bracket 162, which is fixed to arm42, biases the friction wheel toward the drive disc 28. This bias isalso transmitted through rod 158, lever I56 and rod 152 to the toggleplate 148 to bias the toggle for movement in both directions off deadcenter. With control lever 60 in theneutral transverse slot 88, thetoggle is on-dead center. Any slight forward or reverse pressure, whenthe lever 60 is aligned with any one of forward slots 90A, 90B and 90Cand reverse slot 94 is required to break the toggle and allow spring 161to automatically clutch the drive train in the selected forward orreverse mode.

For example, slight forward pressure on the control lever 60 about thesecond axis 79 will break the toggle, and the links 142 and 152 aredrawn by spring 161 to an over center position, as shown in full linesin FIG. 3. The movement of the link 152 causes the lever 156 to move thethird link 158 and swing arm 42 about shaft 38 from the broken lineposition in FIG. 9 to the solid line position and cause engagement offriction wheel 32 with the drive disc 28.

When the control lever 60 is moved rearwardly about the second axis 79into the reverse drive slot 94 (FIG. 1) the links 142 and 152 are drawnby spring 161 from the full line position of FIG. 3 through theon-center position 170 and to the over-center position 172 (FIG. 3),thus to engage the friction wheel 32 with the drive disc 28 as shown infull lines in FIGS. 1 and 9. With the parts thus positioned, therotation of the drive disc 28 tends to disengage the friction wheel 32from disc 28 to provide adead-man feature. The spring 161 is not strongenough to keep the wheel in positive drive relation to disc 28.Accordingly, when the control lever is in the reverse drive slot 94,manual rearward pressure on the control lever 60 is required to maintainthe friction wheel 32 in clutched engagement with the disc 28.

The control lever 60 is moved by the operator in a natural forward andbackward direction to drive the vehicle in forward and reversedirections. The spring biased toggle automatically clutches in forwarddirection and shifts the parts toward clutched engagement in reverse,but the operator must exert some manual pressure to maintain the partsengaged in reverse.

What is claimed is:

l. In a drive train for supplying power to an axle and including a drivedisc engageable with a friction wheel, control means for shifting saidfriction wheel axially along a first friction wheel axis and forswinging said friction wheel in an arc about a second axis, theimprovement in which said control' means comprises a single remotecontrol lever, means for supporting said control lever for movementabout first and second transverse control lever axes, and means forconnecting said single control lever to said friction wheel to shiftsaid friction wheel axially along said first friction wheel axis to varythe rate of rotation of said axle upon movement of said control leverabout said first control lever axis and means connecting said controllever to the friction wheel for swinging said friction wheel in an areabout said second axis to engage and disengage said friction wheel withsaid drive disc upon movement of said control lever about said secondcontrol lever axis.

2. A drive train in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means forsupporting said friction wheel for axial movement about a first frictionwheel axis and swinging movement in an arc about a second axis comprisesa first shaft, an aperture in said friction wheel receiving said firstshaft, a second shaft, a pair of spaced arms swingably supported on saidsecond shaft and rotatably supporting said first shaft, a hub on saidfriction wheel, and a bracket connected to said hub and swingablysupported on said second shaft.

3. A drive train in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means forsupporting said control lever for movement about said first and secondtransverse axes comprises a shift block to which said control lever isconnected.

4. A drive train in accordance with claim 3, wherein said single controllever comprises a leg pivotally connected to said shift block, saidmeans for connecting said control lever to said friction wheel to shiftsaid friction wheel axially of said first friction wheel axis comprisinga speed control rod linkage including a crank arm fixedly connected tosaid leg on said control lever, a bell crank remote from said controllever, a link connecting one end of said bell crank to said crank arm, ashift bracket for the friction wheel, means connecting the other end ofsaid bell crank to said bracket so that movement of said control leverabout said first control lever axis pivots said bell crank to shift saidbracket and said friction wheel axially of said first friction wheelaxis to change the point of contact of said friction wheel with saiddrive disc to change the rate of rotation of said friction wheel.

5. A drive train in accordance with claim 3 wherein said means connectedto said control lever for swinging said fric tion wheel in an arc aboutsaid second friction wheel axis comprises a toggle linkage connectingsaid control lever mounting block to said friction wheel bracket, saidtoggle linkage being on center to afford a neutral position with saidfriction wheel disengaged and movable on both sides of center to affordengagement of said friction wheel with said drive disc.

6. A clutch linkage in accordance with claim 5 wherein said togglelinkage includes a linking plate pivotally connected to said frame, afirst link having one end pivotally connected to said mounting block andanother end pivotally connected to said linking plate, a second linkhaving one end pivotally connected to said friction wheel arm and theother end pivotally connected to said linking plate so that movement ofsaid control lever about said second axis in a forward direction causessaid first link and said second link to move from an on-center neutralposition to one side of center and movement of said control leverrearwardly about said second axis causes move ment of said first andsecond links to the other side of center.

7. A drive train in accordance with claim 1 including a panel having aguide track for guiding movement of said control lever, said guide trackincluding a transversely extending slot and a plurality of forwardlyextending slots and a rearwardly extending slot, said transverselyextending slot guiding control lever movement about said first controllever axis and said forwardly and rearwardly extending slots guidingcontrol lever movement about said second control lever axis.

8. A tractor comprising a frame, a wheel axle rotatably supported onsaid frame, a drive disc, a friction wheel en'gageable with said drivedisc, means for supporting said friction wheel for rotation about afirst axis and axial movement relative to said first axis and radialmovement with respect to said drive disc to change the speed ratiobetween said drive disc and said friction wheel, said means furtheraffording swinging movement of said first axis in an are about a secondaxis for engagement and disengagement of said friction wheel with saiddrive disc, means for drivingly connecting said friction wheel to saidwheel axle, a control lever, means for supporting said control lever onsaid frame for movement about first and second transverse axes and meansfor connecting said control lever to said means for supporting saidfriction wheel to shift said fric tion wheel axially of said first axisin response to movement of said control lever in one direction and toswing said friction wheel about said second axis to engage and disengagesaid friction wheel with said drive disc upon movement of said controllever in a direction transverse to said first direction.

9. A tractor in accordance with claim 8, wherein said means fordrivingly connecting said friction wheel to said wheel axle comprises afirst shaft forming said first axis, said first shaft being splined tosaid friction wheel, a second shaft, having a first gear, a gear on saidfirst shaft in mesh with said gear on said second shaft, a second gearon said second shaft in mesh with a gear on said 8X16, with said gear onsaid first shaft orbiting about said first gear on said second shaft assaid first axis is moved in an are about said second axis when saidfriction wheel is engaged and disengaged with said drive disc.

10. A single lever control for the driving wheels of a vehicle andcomprising:

a drive train for said wheels having parts which require relativemovement in one direction for clutching purposes and relative movementin another direction for speed control purposes,

a set of linkages for producing said relative movement in said onedirection,

another set of linkages for producing said relative movement in saidother direction,

a control block having parts swingable about one axis and to which saidset of linkages are connected and parts swingable about another axis andto which said other set of linkages are connected,

and a single control lever connected to said control block to swing saidparts about said one axis when the lever is moved in one direction andconnected to said control block to swing said parts about the other axiswhen the control lever is moved in a different direction.

11. A single lever control in accordance with claim 10 wherein saiddrive trainincludes a drive disc and a friction wheel engageable withsaid drive disc and movable axially along a first friction wheel axisand in an arc about a second friction wheel axis and wherein one of saidsets of linkages is connected to said friction wheel to shift saidfriction wheel axially upon movement of said control lever about saidfirst control lever axis and the other of said sets of linkages isconnected to said friction wheel to swing said friction wheel about saidsecond friction wheel axis upon movement of said control lever aboutsaid second control lever axis.

12. A single lever control in accordance with claim 10 wherein one ofsaid sets of linkages includes a toggle connect ing said control blockto said drive train, said toggle being movable between an on-centerposition affording a neutral condition with said drive train disengagedand over center positions on both sides of said center position withsaid drive train engaged.

13. The single lever control of claim 12 in which said toggle isprovided with a spring to bias the toggle toward said overcenterposition.

14, The single lever control of claim 13 in which said drive train hasforward and reverse positions, said drive train having rotating elementswhich assist said spring in forward position and which oppose saidspring in reverse position.

15. Apparatus for controlling the driving wheels of a vehiclecomprising: a drive train for said wheels having parts which requirerelative movement in one direction for clutching purposes and relativemovement in another direction for speed control purposes, a singlecontrol lever, means for supporting said control lever for movementabout first and second trans verse axes, means for connecting saidcontrol lever to said drive train parts to afford movement of said partsfor clutching purposes upon movement of said control lever about one ofsaid first and second control lever axes and to afford movement of saidpans for speed control purposes upon movement of said control leverabout the other of said first and second axes.

16. Apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein said means forsupporting said control lever for movement about first and secondtransverse axes comprises a mounting block having spaced legs pivotallyconnected to a frame to provide one of said first and second axes andwherein said control lever is pivotally connected to said mounting blockto provide the other of said first and second axes.

17. In a drive train for supplying power to an axle and including adrive disc engageable with a friction wheel, control means for shiftingsaid friction wheel axially and for moving said friction wheel intoengagement and disengagement with said drive disc, the improvement inwhich said control means comprises a single remote control lever, meansfor supporting said control lever for movement about first and secondtransverse control lever axes, and means for connecting said singlecontrol lever to said friction wheel to shift said friction wheelaxially along said friction wheel axis to vary the rate of rotation ofsaid axle upon movement of said control lever about said first controllever axis and means connecting said control lever to the friction wheelfor moving said friction wheel to engage and disengage said frictionwheel with said drive disc upon movement of said control lever aboutsaid second control lever axis.

1. In a drive train for supplying power to an axle and including a drivedisc engageable with a friction wheel, control means for shifting saidfriction wheel axially along a first friction wheel axis and forswinging said friction wheel in an arc about a second axis, theimprovement in which said control means comprises a single remotecontrol lever, means for supporting said control lever for movementabout first and second transverse control lever axes, and means forconnecting said single control lever to said friction wheel to shiftsaid friction wheel axially along said first friction wheel axis to varythe rate of rotation of said axle upon movement of said control leverabout said first control lever axis and means connecting said controllever to the friction wheel for swinging said friction wheel in an arcabout said second axis to engage and disengage said friction wheel withsaid drive disc upon movement of said control lever about said secondcontrol lever axis.
 2. A drive train in accordance with claim 1 whereinsaid means for supporting said friction wheel for axial movement about afirst friction wheel axis and swinging movement in an arc about a secondaxis comprises a first shaft, an aperture in said friction wheelreceiving said first shaft, a second shaft, a pair of spaced armsswingably supported on said second shaft and rotatably supporting saidfirst shaft, a hub on said friction wheel, and a bracket connected tosaid hub and swingably supported on said second shaft.
 3. A drive trainin accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for supporting saidcontrol lever for movement about said first and second transverse axescomprises a shift block to which said control lever is connected.
 4. Adrive train in accordance with claim 3, wherein said single controllever comprises a leg pivotally connected to said shift block, saidmeans for connecting said control lever to said friction wheel to shiftsaid friction wheel axially of said first friction wheel axis comprisinga speed control rod linkage including a crank arm fixedly connected tosaid leg on said control lever, a bell crank remote from said controllever, a link connecting one end of said bell crank to said crank arm, ashift bracket for the friction wheel, means connecting the other end ofsaid bell crank to said bracket so that movement of said control leverabout said first control lever axis pivots said bell crank to shift saidbracket and said friction wheel axially of said first friction wheelaxis to change the point of contact of said friction wheel with saiddrive disc to change the rate of rotation of said friction wheel.
 5. Adrive train in accordance with claim 3 wherein said means connected tosaid control lever for swinging said friction wheel in an arc about saidsecond friction wheel axis comprises a toggle linkage connecting saidcontrol lever mounting block to said friction wheel bracket, said togglelinkage being on center to afford a neutral position with said frictionwheel disengaged and movable on both sides of center to affordengagement of said friction wheel with said drive disc.
 6. A clutchlinkage in accordance with claim 5 wherein said toggle linkage includesa linking plate pivotally connected to said frame, a first link havingone end pivotally connected to said mounting block and another endpivotally connected to said linking plate, a second link having one endpivotally connected to said friction wheel arm and the other endpivotally connected to said linking plate so that movement of saidcontrol lever about said second axis in a forward direction causes saidfirst link and said second link to move from an on-center neutralposition to one side of center and movement of said control leverrearwardly about said second axis causes movement of said first andsecond links to the other side of center.
 7. A drive train in accordancewith claim 1 including a panel having a guide track for guiding movementof said control lever, said guide track including a transverselyextending slot and a plurality of forwardly extending slots and arearwardly extending slot, said transversely extending slot guidingcontrol lever movement about said first control lever axis and saidforwardly and rearwardly extending slots guiding control lever movementabout said second control lever axis.
 8. A tractor comprising a frame, awheel axle rotatably supported on said frame, a drive disc, a frictionwheel engageable with said drive disc, means for supporting saidfriction wheel for rotation about a first axis and axial movementrelative to said first axis and radial movement with respect to saiddrive disc to change the speed ratio between said drive disc and saidfriction wheel, said means further affording swinging movement of saidfirst axis in an arc about a second axis for engagement anddisengagement of said friction wheel with said drive disc, means fordrivingly connecting said friction wheel to said wheel axle, a controllever, means for supporting said control lever on said frame formovement about first and second transverse axes and means for connectingsaid control lever to said means for supporting said friction wheel toshift said friction wheel axially of said first axis in response tomovement of said control lever in one direction and to swing saidfriction wheel about said second axis to engage and disenGage saidfriction wheel with said drive disc upon movement of said control leverin a direction transverse to said firSt direction.
 9. A tractor inaccordance with claim 8, wherein said means for drivingly connectingsaid friction wheel to said wheel axle comprises a first shaft formingsaid first axis, said first shaft being splined to said friction wheel,a second shaft, having a first gear, a gear on said first shaft in meshwith said gear on said second shaft, a second gear on said second shaftin mesh with a gear on said axle, with said gear on said first shaftorbiting about said first gear on said second shaft as said first axisis moved in an arc about said second axis when said friction wheel isengaged and disengaged with said drive disc.
 10. A single lever controlfor the driving wheels of a vehicle and comprising: a drive train forsaid wheels having parts which require relative movement in onedirection for clutching purposes and relative movement in anotherdirection for speed control purposes, a set of linkages for producingsaid relative movement in said one direction, another set of linkagesfor producing said relative movement in said other direction, a controlblock having parts swingable about one axis and to which said set oflinkages are connected and parts swingable about another axis and towhich said other set of linkages are connected, and a single controllever connected to said control block to swing said parts about said oneaxis when the lever is moved in one direction and connected to saidcontrol block to swing said parts about the other axis when the controllever is moved in a different direction.
 11. A single lever control inaccordance with claim 10 wherein said drive train includes a drive discand a friction wheel engageable with said drive disc and movable axiallyalong a first friction wheel axis and in an arc about a second frictionwheel axis and wherein one of said sets of linkages is connected to saidfriction wheel to shift said friction wheel axially upon movement ofsaid control lever about said first control lever axis and the other ofsaid sets of linkages is connected to said friction wheel to swing saidfriction wheel about said second friction wheel axis upon movement ofsaid control lever about said second control lever axis.
 12. A singlelever control in accordance with claim 10 wherein one of said sets oflinkages includes a toggle connecting said control block to said drivetrain, said toggle being movable between an on-center position affordinga neutral condition with said drive train disengaged and over centerpositions on both sides of said center position with said drive trainengaged.
 13. The single lever control of claim 12 in which said toggleis provided with a spring to bias the toggle toward said over-centerposition.
 14. The single lever control of claim 13 in which said drivetrain has forward and reverse positions, said drive train havingrotating elements which assist said spring in forward position and whichoppose said spring in reverse position.
 15. Apparatus for controllingthe driving wheels of a vehicle comprising: a drive train for saidwheels having parts which require relative movement in one direction forclutching purposes and relative movement in another direction for speedcontrol purposes, a single control lever, means for supporting saidcontrol lever for movement about first and second transverse axes, meansfor connecting said control lever to said drive train parts to affordmovement of said parts for clutching purposes upon movement of saidcontrol lever about one of said first and second control lever axes andto afford movement of said parts for speed control purposes uponmovement of said control lever about the other of said first and secondaxes.
 16. Apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein said means forsupporting said control lever for movement about first and secondtransverse axes comprises a mounting blocK having spaced legs pivotallyconnected to a frame to provide one of said first and second axes andwherein said control lever is pivotally connected to said mounting blockto provide the other of said first and second axes.
 17. In a drive trainfor supplying power to an axle and including a drive disc engageablewith a friction wheel, control means for shifting said friction wheelaxially and for moving said friction wheel into engagement anddisengagement with said drive disc, the improvement in which saidcontrol means comprises a single remote control lever, means forsupporting said control lever for movement about first and secondtransverse control lever axes, and means for connecting said singlecontrol lever to said friction wheel to shift said friction wheelaxially along said friction wheel axis to vary the rate of rotation ofsaid axle upon movement of said control lever about said first controllever axis and means connecting said control lever to the friction wheelfor moving said friction wheel to engage and disengage said frictionwheel with said drive disc upon movement of said control lever aboutsaid second control lever axis.